Acura’s MDX mid-size luxury SUV is the carmaker’s top-seller, and there are a lot of them on the roads. Many of them, if you’d take notice, are being driven by females. In fact, our daughter and daughter-in-law both own MDXs. And the reason for that is that they are not only stylish, but come with top safety scores, are reliable, have Acura’s/Honda’s renowned quality and are competitively equipped with great resale value. For 2024, MDX Type S offers conservative yet sporty design with its large front air intakes, Brembo-like red brake calipers and an active quad exhaust tips. There’s also a roomy, lavish cabin with fine detail. And the Type S we tested came with a racy flat-bottomed steering wheel and brushed aluminum pedals. And for a large or growing family, MDX is offered with three-rows. A 12.3-inch infotainment display serves a host of apps, features, functions including rearview and surround view cameras, Wi-Fi, Amazon Alexa compatibility, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and AcuraLink that allows remote lock/unlock/start, Find My Car, automatic collision notification, roadside assistance, schedule maintenance, voice control, texting and lots more. Most of these functions can also be operated via a smartphone. Operationally, there’s a mouse pad on the console that controls the display. It’s very sensitive and not easy to use while driving, and in fact could be unsafe in driving in heavy, high speed traffic. The heated/ventilated front seats are a work of art and are nicely supportive and heavily padded. MDXs vertical stack and console have a jet cockpit type look with push buttons for the 10-speed automatic transmission, a wireless phone charging pad, a mode selector switch for Lift, Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual modes. In Sport Plus, the exhaust note changes to a sweet rumble and performance is more robust. In Lift mode, the MDXs air suspension lifts the chassis from 12.5 to 14 inches for increased ground clearance for deep snow, carrying a heavy load or when towing a trailer. This offers a ground clearance of from 6.7 inches at its lowest setting to 9.4 at its highest setting. Over on the digital gauge cluster, an embedded driver information display gives alerts, features and driving functions. When crossing the roadway center line, a warning displays on the cluster and the steering wheel shakes as a warning. Second row seats slide fore/aft and slide far enough forward to allow easy access to the third row that are mainly for youngsters. There is an appreciable 38.5 inches of leg room with the second row well rearward and head room is generous, even for tall folks. MDX also has Cabin Talk that allows front seat riders to send their voices through the sound system so rear or third row passengers can hear them. Back in the cargo area and with the third row upright, there’s 18.1 cubic feet of space that measures 22 inches deep, 22 wide and 29.5 high. Flip the third row and space expands to 48.4 cubic feet for 48.5 inches of loading depth. With the second row folded there’s 95 cubic feet for 80 inches of depth. And beneath the cargo floor is a full-width, deep bin for small item storage. Lift-over into the cargo area is a thigh-high 31 inches. MDXs tailgate is unique in that not only does it have hands-free opening, its Walk-Away close feature closes the hatch automatically when you walk away with the fob in your pocket. Shod with 10-inch wide, 21-inch tall Continental tires, MDX rides heavenly and quietly. And its firm poise provides stability in sharp turns, plus it parks easily. The wide tires will offer added traction on slippery, snow-covered roads. And if the going gets really tough, or getting stuck in snow, a rear lock switch on the dash offers added traction. MDX Type S gets its grunt from a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with a potent 355-hp and 354 lb/ft of torque. Coupled to the 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, the combination has an impressive tow rating of up to 5,000 pounds and EPA mileage estimates of 17 city, 21-highway mpg. Grant it these numbers aren’t miserly but consider that this is a hefty (4,788 pounds) three-row SUV so there is a compromise of sorts by having a solid, AWD that comes with top government safety scores of a full four stars for driver/passenger frontal crash, five for front/rear seat side crash. Rollover was not tested. With a long list of features and safety items such as collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning lane keeping assist system, road departure mitigation and more, MDX had but one extra cost option of $800 for Apex Blue Pearl paint. With a delivery charge of $1,195, the base price of $73,500 escalated to $75,295. This is about the going price of its comparably priced competitors. MDX is covered by a 4 year/50K mile warranty, powertrain for 6/70k and free scheduled maintenance for two years or 24,000 miles. All in all, MDX Type S fulfills the need for a sporty, performance SUV that has a dedicated following and is a compelling choice for a family luxury midsize SUV.
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Lincoln's 2023 Corsair is an exceptionally comfortable compact AWD crossover with PHEV economy12/22/2023 Lincoln’s 2023 Corsair is a compact crossover that doesn’t get enough attention, or advertising, but it’s a compelling choice, especially as a PHEV. Corsair’s primary feature is that it offers Lincoln’s traditional comfortable and safe transportation, and it comes with top safety scores. Corsair is available in three trim levels of Standard, Reserve and Grand Touring, the latter we tested in PHEV configuration. With the AWD PHEV, Lincoln says it can travel up to 28 all-electric miles on a full charge, that’s sufficient for around town and grocery store runs. But there’s always the dependable 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle inline 4-cylinder with two electric motors to back it up. Total system output is 266-hp that provides EPA mileage estimates of 78 MPGe (electric and gas). For gas only, it’s 34-city, 32-highway mpg. Power gets sent to the wheels via a CVT transmission and Corsair has a tow capacity is up to 3,000 pounds. The combination provided decent acceleration from a standing stop and during highway passing maneuvers. Powered by the PHEV is the way to go instead of an all-electric, especially when taking long trips. Lincoln got the right idea here. It’s the best of both worlds. As a compact (Corsair is based on the Ford Escape), the ride is exceptionally smooth and quiet on tall 20-inch Continental tires. Corsair is not a sports car in the handling department, it’s just a fine luxury crossover that parks easily, is enjoyable to drive and ride. Both of which have been Lincoln’s customary traits over the years. Performance aside, Corsair has a beautiful interior that sports a 13.2-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch gauge cluster. Sumptuous, deeply padded, heated/ventilated leather seats offer extended under thigh and sensible lumbar support. The entire cockpit melds all controls and amenities ever so nicely. The CVT transmission gets its commands from a piano key style gear selector that are horizontally aligned across the vertical stack. These do take some getting used to, especially if coming from a floor or column mounted gear selector. Many new cars I test align the switches vertically so these needed seat time to acclimate to. Corsair’s infotainment screen serves the usual gamut of audio, navigation, rearview and frontal cameras with overhead view, HVAC, weather, traffic conditions, local charging stations, auto parking instructions and more. As for the auto parking, Corsair can park itself with the driver controlling the accelerator and brake. The console hosts a phone charging pad along with receptacles for wired charging. All but two HVAC functions must be selected on the touchscreen, the exceptions are the front/rear windshield defrosters. This could be a bit troublesome in that selections take the eyes off the road such as when decreasing fan speed or changing interior temperatures. Also, the console is a rotary mode switch for Conserve (Eco), Preserve EV (electric power only), Normal, Slippery and Excite (Sport) modes. Selections display on the gauges cluster that includes a driver information display for functions, features and alerts. Corsair’s rear seat is a duplicate of the fronts in that they are heated, sofa soft with generous leg and head room. Step-in is an easy 19 inches. Back in the cargo area, and with the rear seats upright, there’s 25.9 cubic feet of space that measures 36 inches deep, 43 wide and 29 high. Press two buttons and the rear seatbacks power down for 55.2 cubic feet of space with 66 inches of cargo loading depth. The cargo underfloor has a space saver tire around which some small items can be stowed. Lift-over into the cargo area is a low 28 inches. Corsair came standard with a host of safety features and amenities including blind spot monitoring, cross traffic alert, lane keeping assist, pre-collision assist, SOS post-crash system, Lincoln Connec w/Wi-Fi hotspot, adaptive suspension, panoramic sunroof, park assist, Co-Pilot 2.1 drive, wiper deicer and more. Since my test Corsair did not have a window sticker (Monroney), Edmunds.com lists a comparable Corsair PHEV w/Grand Touring package at $53,636. They also list the Reserve model with ICE power at $39,280 and the base Standard with ICE at $39,280. Corsair has received impressive government 5-star safety scores with four stars for driver frontal crash, five for passenger; and five for front/rear seat side crash. Rollover was not rated. Lincoln’s luxury crossover comes with a 4 year/50K mile general warranty, 4/50K for pickup/delivery service and 5/70K powertrain warranty. Corsair has several features which are a first for the segment such as Lane Change Assist, Predictive Speed Assist, In-Lane Repositioning, and Intersection Assist 2.0 that are very innovative, but were not on the test car. All in all, Corsair has a lot of competition in its class, but with the PHEV system, it gives Corsair an edge over comparable ICE competitors. And it’s an exemplary family cruiser offering comfort, economy and Lincoln’s fine heritage. Allentown’s own the late Lee Iacocca was the father of the blockbuster Ford Mustang when it debuted and when he was with Ford. And since then, whoever gave the green light on the revised Bronco SUV, is another Iacocca as the compact SUV has become a hit as I see lots of them on local roads and in driveways. The 2023 Bronco has been marketed as the Jeep Wrangler fighter, and so far, it’s been doing a pretty good job of doing that. Bronco is offered in different flavors to suit a variety of SUV buyers from daily driver to serious off-roader. It’s available in Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Heritage, Badlands, Wildtrak, Everglades. Heritage Limited and hot Raptor. We were privileged to test the Heritage Limited with Sasquatch package that was off-road ready with higher ground clearance, front and rear locking differentials, steel sash plates, front stabilizer bar disconnect and tall, 9-inch, deep lugged Goodyear tires, and of course Bronco’s G.OA.T (Goes Over Any Type Terrain) 4WD system. Compare the off-road specs with the Jeep and they are similar. Many moons ago I recall attending an earlier model Ford Bronco II (it was later discontinued and at the time went up against Chevy’s S-10 compact SUV) long-lead where auto journalists were offered a unique driving experience with a down-sized version of the full-size Bronco. Woody Haines, Ford’s truck PR person at the time, planned a white-knuckle ride-and-drive over the red rocks of Ogden, Utah. A true off-roaders haven. The final test of the little Bronco II was down a huge steep and slick red rock. Fortunately, I was in an automatic transmission Bronco so I could ride the brake in low gear and 4-low 4WD down the almost 90-degree sloped rock. Another journalist who I believe was with Playboy magazine, had a manual transmission Bronco II. When he popped the clutch, the Bronco stormed down the rock and all of us at the bottom of the rock, scattered for our lives. Miraculously, he managed to get it under control and stopped a little way past the bottom, albeit sideways. But the little Bronco didn’t roll over. Todays Bronco is worlds apart from that earlier model. Bronco has an unmistakable design with good on-road manners in addition to admirable off-road capability. It has a distinct exterior with a stylish, boxy, yet rugged look and running lights that encircle the headlamps. It’s offered as a two or four-door, both of which come with the ability to remove the doors and the front and rear portions of the roof. My Heritage Sasquatch test SUV came with 35-inch Goodyear, 9-inch wide off-road tires, a HOSS 2.0 suspension system with Bilstein shocks, front stabilizer bar disconnect, locking front/rear axles and fender flares. And like the Jeep Wrangler, the rear hatch swings out to the right before the hatch window can be opened. Bronco also has a rugged looking interior as well. My Heritage Sasquatch model came with rubber floor matting and drain plugs in the event you get caught in a sudden rain deluge when the doors and tops are off. Step-in to the interior is a high 26 inches or 17.5 to the running boards. A 12-inch digital infotainment display serves a host of functions including rearview and frontal cameras, SYNC 4 with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a pitch and roll gauge when off-roading, fuel economy display and more. Over on the 8-inch gauge cluster, it serves a host of functions and features. The digital/analog gauge cluster has a driver information display centered between the gauges. The leather front seats are heavily padded and nicely supportive and they straddle the console that has a passenger side hand rail to hang on during rough off-roads. A burly gear selector controls the 10-speed automatic transmission and in front of it, a cell phone charger. HVAC controls are easy to operate traditional type switches. Bronco’s 4WD system consists of 2H, 4H, 4L and 4A (automatic). And the G.O.A.T system offers Baja, Normal, Mud/, Rock/Crawl and Sport modes. Depending on the road surface, drivers can select steering modes of Normal, Comfort, Off-Road and Sport. Even the exhaust tone can be selected with Normal, Baja, Quiet and Sport sounds offered. These are all modes the Jeep Wrangler doesn’t offer. Back in the rear seat, it’s also heavily padded for two adults with ample headroom. But leg room can be tight if the fronts are racked well rearward. Bronco’s cargo area is spacious and with the rear seats upright, there’s 35.6 cubic feet of space measuring 34.5 inches deep, 42 wide and 36 high. Flip the second row and space increases to 77.6 cubic feet for 66 inches of cargo loading depth. Lift-over into the cargo bay is a tall 33 inches and beneath the cargo floor is a 24-inch-wide shallow bin for small item storage. Ford also provides nylon bags to stow the roofs so they don’t get scratched. The 2023 Bronco can be had with a choice of three powertrains. A 2.3-liter, turbo 4-cylinder with 275-hp (300 with premium fuel) and 315 lb/ft of torque (325); a 2.7-liter, twin-turbo 6-cylinder with 315-hp (330 w/premium fuel), 410 lb/ft of torque (415 w/premium), and the Raptor model gets a 3.0-liter twin-turboV6 with 418-hp and 440 lb/ft of torque. Our Heritage Sasquatch came with the 2.7-liter twin turbo and with start/stop engine technology it received EPA mileage estimates of 17 city, 17-highway mpg. Certainly not miserly, but it is potent and can tow up 3,500 pounds. Hard acceleration was awesome and under heavy throttle it produced a sweet growling sound. There’s certainly no want for power. Bronco handles admirably with a tight turn radius making it easy to park. And when going off-road, 8.4 inches of ground clearance will easily clear nasty obstacles (especially with its good approach /departure/breakover angles) and deep snow. It can also ford 33.5 inches of water. Ride wise, it’s taut but better than the Wrangler. Because of the deep-lugged off-road tires and over highway driving, there is discernable tire noise. Since the test Bronco was a pre-production model, it didn’t have a total price. But the Heritage Limited carries a listed base price of $66,895. Far from cheap, but it’s far from ordinary. Bronco was fun to drive. And it’s my kind of SUV. The only thing I didn’t like about it was its robin egg (baby blue) paint. A tough SUV like this should be painted in a light grey a lot of cars are showing up with today, or in the least, a dark grey, black or other dark color to enhance its tough SUV abilities. All in all, the 2023 Bronco is truly a Wrangler fighter with better ride and handling, and a compelling choice for a compact SUV. Ford's popular selling compact Escape SUV offers the best of both world's with a PHEV model12/4/2023 Ford’s Escape has been a top selling compact SUV for the carmaker, and the 2023 model will surely maintain this momentum. The 2023 Escape received updated styling lines that take on a coupe-like look. It also received added high-tech features, and for those not sold on EV’s, the Escape is offered as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that provides the best of both worlds. This, in addition to a hybrid version that increases its overall attractiveness. Escape is offered with four engine options and seven trim models of Base, Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, ST-Line Elite and tested PHEV. Aside from its classy exterior, Escapes’ interior is equally as attractive with its quilted and supportive Sport leather front seats and a 13.2-inch display. The infotainment display serves multiple systems including audio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity, Ford Pass Connec (that includes vehicle locate, vehicle health alerts, 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot capability), HVAC functions, nav and a rearview camera with overhead and close-up views. It’s a vivid screen, but it does take the eyes off the road momentarily when making selections when compared to traditional knobs and push switches that can be used by feel after an acclimation period. And when displaying the HVAC/Climate screen, it only stays on for 12 seconds, then reverts back to the home screen. Be nice if it would stay on, unless that’s an option I wasn’t aware of. The nicely designed console houses a rotary transmission gear selector that more carmakers are switching to, and it’s actually easier to use than a steering or console mounted shifter. Sharing the console is a wireless phone charger with receptacles for wired charging and HVAC controls that are located on the touchscreen. Over on the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, it serves a multitude of features, functions and alerts. And it’s customizable to the owners’ preferences. As for the rear seat, it’s not only comfy with good leg room and head room, but of special significance is that they slide fore and aft to increase leg room, or increase cargo space, or a spot in-between. Back in the spacious cargo area, and with the rear seats upright, there’s 34.4 cubic feet of space that measures 34 inches deep, 42 wide and 30.5 high. Flip the rear seatbacks and cargo loading depth expands to 65 inches. And with a 27-inch lift-over into the cargo area, this low height makes loading heavy, bulky items easier. Powertrain wise, the PHEV test car came with a CVT transmission and a 2.5-liter, Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder that in combination with the electric system, puts out 221-hp and 155 lb/ft of torque for a combined 105 MPGe mileage economy, or 40 mpg in gas-electric mode. It has an EV-only range of 37 miles. And it had loads of gusto. My first long trip with the Escape PHEV was from Allentown to King of Prussia Mall and back and it only used an impressive quarter tank of gas. Had we taken my wife’s SUV or my pickup truck, it would have been at least a half tank of petrol. Escape was also a pleasure to drive and ride in on Michelin 18-inch tires. It parked easily, was nimble and was stable in sharp turns and stiff crosswinds. There was some discernible wind noise at max turnpike speed coming from the driver’s side window, but ceased during around town driving. The Escape PHEV came with a host of safety features such as cross traffic alert, lane keeping assist, pedestrian alert, post-crash alert system, reverse brake assist (which is a great accident preventer when backing up and another vehicle or pedestrian crosses), tire pressure monitoring and more. Included too was Park Assist that can automatically park the Escape. Price wise, Escape’s base price came in at $38,500. Added to that was the White Metallic Tri-Coat paint ($995), PHEV Premium package ($4,500) that included a long list of features and safety functions, Panoramic sunroof ($1,595) along with delivery ($1,495) took the bottom line to $47,115. To its credit, Escape received government five-star safety ratings of four stars for driver frontal crash, five for passenger; five each for front/rear seat side crash. Escape is covered by a 3 year/36K mile basic warranty, 5/60K powertrain, and an 8/100K all hybrid component coverage. The only way Escape PHEV could be better is if it could be available with AWD instead of FWD. But that’s only offered with the non-PHEV models. All in all, Escape PHEV is a great alternative to an EV SUV as it provides excellent economy, utility and a spacious interior for four adults. It deserves serious consideration. Genesis's GV80 AWD SUV has garnered top safety and reliability ratings, and it's an eye-grabber11/20/2023 For the short time Genesis vehicles have been on the market, theyÕve been receiving top safety ratings, numerous accolades as they all have roomy and exceptional interiors, impressive engines and outstanding value. This luxury brand of Hyundai has made a name for itself. One of the newest in their line-up is their 2023 GV80 Turbo AWD SUVs. ItÕs an eye-grabber with a coupe-like styling, a grille that resembles that on an ultra-expensive Bentley, and a back end that sports a hint of a spoiler on the liftgate that together with rectangular tailpipe extensions, give the GV80 a sporty, classy look. The GV80 Turbo (T) is offered is several flavors starting with the 2.5T, 2.5T Advanced, 3.5T, 2.5T Prestige, 3.5T Advanced. 3.5T, Advanced Plus 3.5T (that adds a third seat) and Prestige that we had the privilege of testing. GV80T is not only attractive on the outside, itÕs equally as beautiful on the inside. The entire cockpit is luxurious with sueded pillars and ceiling liner for an exquisite touch along with dual sunroofs. And get this. Upon pulling a door handle, the door power opens enough for easy egress/ingress. This AWD SUVs dash melds ever so nicely with instrumentation and the super comfy quilted Nappa leather heated/ventilated seats. Both front seats have powered lumbar support that tightens up a bit when selecting Sport mode. And driverÕs seat also includes a massage function. The front passenger seatback even powers down to allow a passenger to snooze on a long trip. GV80Ts interior reeks of sophistication and ultra-comfort. The heated/ventilated rear seats tilt/slide fore/aft to extend cargo space have sufficient leg room for two average size adults with ample head room. With a low transaxle hump, a youngster can actually fit in the middle seat and have decent leg room. With a 14.5-inch infotainment display, it serves a host of functions including rear and front cameraÕs, audio, navigation, Genesis Connected Services, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity, satellite radio, sounds of nature and much more. Below it is a HVAC display with touch sensitive selections and below it a phone charging pad. Residing on the console are two rotary switches one for display controls the other for the automatic transmission gear selector that may take some getting used to coming from a stick or column selector. Across from these is the Drive Mode rotary switch that offers Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport and Custom modes. Included here is a Lock switch to lock the drive wheels when encountering deep snow for improved traction. Over on the digital gauge cluster that includes a Driver Information Display for alerts, features functions and side view cameras. The speedometer does double duty by displaying a left blind spot view when activating the left turn signal, while the tachometer displays a right view camera when activating the right turn signal. Both cameras are embedded in the sides of the outside mirrors. Both are safety features especially when a vehicle sneaks up on the cars blind sides while the driver is attempting a turn. GV80TÕs cargo area is spacious and has a low 31-inch lift-over. With the second row upright, thereÕs 34.9 cubic feet of space that measures 43.5 inches deep, 45 wide and 29.5 high. Press two buttons and the second-row seatbacks power down for 84 cubic feet of space that expands cargo loading depth to 75 inches. And below the cargo floor is a multi-partition deep bin for small item storage. The GV80 offers Remote Smart Parking Assist that using the key fob while out of the SUV, the GV80 can park itself in/out of a parallel and perpendicular parking space. Another neat feature is Highway Driving Assist that combines adaptive cruise and land-keeping assist to keep the vehicle between the highway lines and it can automatically pass on the highway. Features youÕd never think would be offered on cars a mere 10 years ago. As indicated in model offerings, GV80s are offered with two engine choices. The 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder produces 300-hp and 311 lb/ft of torque. The one we tested that came with the 3.5T Prestige is the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 that generates 375-hp and an impressive 375 lb/ft of torque for EPA mileage estimates of 18 city, 23-highway mpg. ThereÕs certainly no want for power from this engine. And in Sport mode, itÕs even more exhilarating. Both powertrains couple to a quick shifting 8-speed automatic that came with paddle shifters and rates a tow capacity of up to 6,000 pounds. Driving the GV80T was a super smooth and quiet experience on 20-inch Michelin tires. It parked easily with its tight 39.3 foot turning diameter. And with GenesisÕs Road Preview feature, it uses cameras to read the road and adjust the suspension for an exceptional ride. The Prestige trim GV80 carried a base price of $62,950 with a very long list of safety and convenience features. Added to that was the Advanced Package ($6,200) that included the Nappa leather, remote park assist, collision avoidance system, Lexicon premium audio, power cushion extension/bolstering and more. Add the Prestige 20 package ($4,950) and that includes the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster power door closure, rear door shades and more. All totaled GV80T carried a bottom line of $75,800. As an added incentive to buy the GV80, it scored impressive government safety scores of a full five overall stars, four each for driver/passenger frontal crash, five each for front/rear seat side crash and four stars for rollover. In addition, J.D. PowerÕs 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study rates Genesis as the second out of 32 brands with the fewest problems per 100 vehicles. For comparison purposes, Tesla is ranked last. Combine this with a class leading warranty of 5 years/60K basic, 10/100K powertrain, and youÕre not only buying a superb AWD SUV, but having a warranty coverage that is as attractive as the GV80 is itself. When friends and acquaintances ask what luxury SUV I like best, itÕs always the GV80T. So, you’d like a sports car but really need an SUV for its utility, cargo capacity and AWD for some mild off-roading plus snowy roads. Audi has just what you want. Their 2023 RS Q8 Quattro crossover combines the best of all worlds. This ultra-high-performance midsize luxury SUV is based in Audi’s top Q8 AWD SUV. The differences though are many as the RS Q8 is a hot performer with sports car attributes. For starters, and compared to the Q8, the RS Q8 has aggressive styling with a blackened front grille, air inlets and Brembo-like red brake calipers. Its back end has a visual effect of a full width horizontal taillight assembly and Ovid-shaped tailpipe tips. The RS Q8’s sporty styling makes it look like it’s going 60 mph standing still. And inside, oh the inside, it too is sporty and a standout with dual display virtual cockpit that features a 10-inch infotainment system display and a 9-inch screen for HVAC controls. It includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity, Bang & Olufsen audio, dual cameras, navigation, phone charger and much more. The huge gauge digital gauge cluster is a system all itself with a long list of features, functions and alerts that’s aside from speed, tachometer, gearing and fuel gauge readouts. Then there’s the ventilated heated/cooled front seats. They have a unique quilted design that’s complimented with extended under thigh support and lumbar support that snugs the torso ever so nicely. And with the Luxury package, the front seats are massaging seats. Sharing the console is a stubby gear selector for the 8-speed automatic transmission is supplemented with paddle shifters and mode selector for Allroad, Auto, Dynamic, RS, Comfort modes with “S” sub modes. All differ for a specific driving experience. The rear seat, with a low 19.5-inch step-in at the air suspension system’s highest setting, offers gobs of leg and headroom. The handsome seats are sofa soft and comfy for long hauls. With the optional Executive package, Audi adds dual-pane noise reducing windows, power soft-closing doors and heated rear seats. Our test car also came with Night Vision Assistant that displays thermal imaging for improved night driving vision. Audi thought of everything and to say the RS Q8 is loaded, is an understatement. But the real highpoint is the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that generates 591-hp and 590-lb/ft of torque that’s coupled to a 48-volt hybrid system for added fuel economy. Transferring this potent power to the wheels is the 8-speed automatic transmission that is lighting quick with up and down shifts. The combination has been timed at 3.2 seconds for 0-60 mph. And the sound emanating from the exhaust pipes is sweet music to the ears. There’s certainly no want for power especially when the twin-turbo’s kick in. And get this. With the tow package, RS Q8 can tow up to an impressive 7,700 pounds. That’s a sizable trailer be it for a bass boat, camper or large utility trailer. It gets EPA mileage estimates of 13 city, 20-highway mpg and probably less because it’s difficult to not punch the throttle on occasion to experience the exhilarating push-you-back-in-the-seat acceleration. It offers devastating performance. As mentioned, the RS Q8 came with an air suspension that can raise the frame three inches. This is helpful in deep snow or when going off the beaten path. With all these attributes. RS Q8 rides heavenly and can be tossed in the turns with virtually no lean and it remains planted for a 5,490-pound SUV. It’s nimble and easy to park. And if this isn’t enough to impress, the Executive package also offers remote park assist plus that will park itself. The sticker price reflected is one of the longest features laden I’ve seen in quite a while. Safety features include front collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, intersection alert w/auto braking, rear passenger safe-exit system to prevent rear passengers from opening a door in traffic, tire pressure monitoring and a host more. As said, the options list is exhaustive as well. It includes Dragon Orange paint ($495), Bang & Olufsen audio ($4,900 ouch), Black Optic package ($2,800), Executive package ($2,800), Night Vision Assist ($2,250), Luxury package ($1,500), Towing package ($750), Audi Guard Protector Kit ($385), First Aid Kit ($50 – Lexus vehicles include this in the base price) and delivery $1,195 took the base price of $122,800 to $140,330. Yes, it’s a lot of money for a lot of AWD SUV that acts like a sports sedan. But if you can afford it, it’s an unmistakable and remarkable SUV that has few competitors in its class. Driving it gives goose bumps, and a wide smile. RS Q8 comes with a 4 years/50K mile limited warranty, 12 years/limited corrosion protection and 4 years/roadside assistance. It was only government tested for rollover that earned it four out of five stars. Mazda's 2023 CX-90 midsize AWD 3-row is all new and a compelling choice for a family crossover10/30/2023 Within the past two model years, there seems to have been a rash of 3-row crossovers debuting as todays families want added interior space, utility of an SUV and AWD capability for inclement weather that includes snow here in the Snowbelt. Not to be left out, Mazda and their superb line of AWD crossovers, have debuted their handsome CX-90 AWD midsize crossover that replaced the former CX-9 that was at the top of their crossover line. But the CX-90 has surpassed the latter in many ways. CX-90 is all new and sits on a platform that puts it a bit more on full-size as it’s longer than most of the competition and is a mere10 inches shorter than a Chevy Tahoe full-size SUV. But it doesn’t handle or drive like a full-size as many of those are truck-based. CX-90 is offered in five trim levels of Select, Preferred, Preferred Plus, Premium and Premium Plus which we tested. It offers seating for up to eight with a second-row bench seat or seven with captain’s chairs. To say the CX-90 is handsome is an understatement as it has smooth, flowing, aerodynamic styling lines. And CX-90s interior follows suit as it is a work of art. Mazda designers managed to meld everything to perfection for comfort and ease of access and use. The dash in particular is covered in faux suede, as are the inner door panels and seat inserts. An elegant touch you’d only see in a Bentley or Rolls. A vivid 12.3-inch infotainment screen serves the gamut of audio, navigation, multi-view camera system, HVAC selections, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, apps and more. Below it is a horizontal array of flush and easy to use push-button HVAC switches wherein selections can be displayed on the screen. It was nice Mazda didn’t put these frequently used controls on the infotainment screen like some of its competitors wherein their operation requires eyes off the road while searching on the screen for selections. Tucked below them is a wireless phone charger pad and mode selector rocker switch for Sport, Normal and Off-Road modes. A stubby gear selector for the 8-speed automatic transmission requires a mere flick left to acquire Park gear. Upon my first drive in the CX-90 and parking it, and thinking I caught the park gear, when I turned off the ignition the CX-90 lurched forward only to be immediately stopped by Mazda’s Rollaway Auto Braking system. A great safety feature. After that I made sure the transmission was in Park. Perhaps Mazda engineers designed the close shift pattern to save console space, but a simple straight forward pattern for Park would be better. Over on the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a driver information display nestles between the tach and speedo. In Sport, the gauges turn red indicating performance mode. Heated/cooled front seats are ventilated Nappa leather with contrasting trim and are sumptuously padded with extended under thigh and pleasurable lateral support. Second row captain’s chairs offer an easy 20-inch step-in and are supportive and comfy. And they slide well forward allowing easy third row access where those seats are mainly for youngsters as in most three-row crossovers. Back in the spacious cargo area that has a 30-inch lift-over, and with the 3rd row seats upright, there’s 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space that measures 20.5 inches deep, 43 wide and 29.5 high. Flip the 3rd row and space increases to 40.1 cubic feet. Flip the heated second row and capacity expands to 75.2 cubes for an impressive 84 inches of cargo loading depth. That’s a full seven feet that can accommodate a mountain bike with the front wheel off and stowed atop the bike. Beneath the cargo floor are four shallow bins to stow small items out of sight. CX-90 Turbo S gets its grunt from a 3.3-liter, inline turbocharged 6-cylinder that generates 340-hp and 369 lb/ft of torque with high-test fuel, or 319-hp with regular fuel. It rates EPA mileage estimates of 23 city, 280-highway mpg. Coupled to the quick shifting 8-speed auto trans with paddle shifters, CX-90 carries a tow rating of up to an appreciable 5,000 pounds with the tow package. It offered impressive acceleration from a standing stop and when passing 18-wheelers, especially when the turbo spools up and kicks in. The rear-wheel biased AWD system has a relatively tight turning radius of 41.2 feet and offers a good ground clearance of 8 inches to negotiate modest snow depths on unplowed roads. CX-90 rode smoothly, quietly and composed on 21-inch Falkon tires. In sharp, quick turns, CX-90 remained planted for a 4,709-pound crossover. This superb crossover came with an exhaustive list of standard features with safety items that include blind spot monitoring w/vehicle exit warning, lane departure warning, driver attention alert, driver monitoring, automatic reverse braking, rear seat alert, tire pressure monitoring, smart brake support, front cross traffic alert/braking, rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, emergency lane keeping, cruising and traffic support plus a bunch more. A panoramic sunroof is also standard on the Premium Plus package as is a powered tilt/telescoping steering wheel. The only extra cost option was for the Artisan Red paint ($595) that took the base price of $59, 950 to a bottom line of $61,920 with delivery. Mazda’s CX-90 AWD midsize is a compelling choice among three-row crossovers. In fact, Car and Driver Magazine rated it number one among four other comparably-equipped, competitive crossovers. It’s a superb choice for families of four or more. Honda's CR-V Hybrid crossover was totally redesigned for 2023 making it the top-seller in its class10/18/2023 Honda’s CR-V has been the top-selling compact SUV in America for over a quarter century. And their hybrid variant represents over 53 percent of total model sales. To say CR-V is a popular SUV, is an understatement. It’s been around and proven. And you see lots of them on the roads. CR-V for 2023 is offered in FWD and AWD and in LX, EX, Sport Hybrid, EX-L, Sport-L Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid. We had the privilege of testing the completely redesigned 2023 AWD CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid with a bit larger dimensions for added interior space and comfort, new bold, attractive styling and a new hybrid system that features a more advanced two-motor hybrid-electric powertrain for added spunk and quiet operation. Aside from its bold new exterior look, CR-V’s interior is equally new with nicely supportive, perforated leather seating that’s adorned with contrasting trim, a vivid 9-inch touchscreen with voice recognition, digital gauge cluster, paddle shifters, large HVAC controls that can be operated with gloved hands and many more. The touchscreen offers several apps including HondaLink connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Wi-Fi Hotspot, navigation, a rearview camera with three different views plus satellite radio and Bose audio. The console houses a robust gear selector plus a mode switch for Eco, Snow, and Normal modes. Residing there as well is a wireless phone charger pad along with receptacles for wired charging. With a low 18.5-inch step-in, the back seats are sumptuously padded and can accommodate three tweens with good legroom (up to 41 inches) because the transaxle hump is very low and almost flat. The cargo area is especially spacious for a compact SUV. With the rear seatbacks upright, it offers a generous 39.3 cubic feet of space that measures 36 inches deep, 41.5 wide and 32.25 high. Flip the seatbacks and space expands to 76.5 cubic feet for 70 inches of cargo loading depth. Beneath the cargo floor is a deep and large bin to stow items out of sight. The 2023 CR-V AWD Hybrid gets its grunt from a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder in conjunction with the dual motors that produces a combined 204-hp and 247 lb/ft of torque. Coupled to a CVT transmission, the CR-V Hybrid received EPA fuel economy ratings of an impressive 40 city, 34-highway mpg. Performance wise, it’s exhilarating, more so in Sport mode. CR-V parks easily with electric power steering and a tight 37.3 foot turning radius. It rides smoothly and quietly on Continental 19-inch tires that are 8 inches wide for good traction in snow and on wet roadways. Actually, the CR-V rides more like a midsize SUV. And with an 8.2-inch ground clearance, it can handle modest snow depths and semi-rugged off-roads. And the Sport Touring came with Hill Descent Control that operates at speeds from 2-12 mph which saves the brakes from wear and overheating instead of having to ride them down a steep decline. Safety-wise, CR-V Hybrid came standard with vehicle stability assist, rear cross traffic alert, driver attention monitor, blind spot monitor and a nifty feature is the walk-away auto lock feature. Along with standard sunroof, heated front seats and steering wheel, the only extra cost was for delivery of $1,245 that took the base price of $38,600 to $39,845. The CR-V Hybrid offers a lot of content at a competitive price. And of course, it comes with Honda’s proven quality build and reliability. CR-V Hybrid carries a basic new car warranty of 3 years or 30,000 miles while the powertrain is covered by a 5/60K warranty. The hybrid battery itself offers an 8/100K warranty. All in all, the CR-V Hybrid is the perfect alternative to a fully all-electric SUV if you’re not sold on the concept. It offers impressive utility features, has miserly fuel economy, is family friendly and is simply enjoyable to drive. Honda's 2023 Pilot 3-row, AWD SUV has been totally redesigned with new powertrain and added tech9/16/2023 Honda’s fourth-generation and top selling 2023 Pilot 3-row midsize SUV comes with a new larger design, roomier interior, increased power, added technology and an adventure-ready styling in the TrailSport model that we were privileged to test. The Pilot TrailSport not only has a macho, rugged look, but it’s shod with Continental 18-inch all-terrain tires that are nine inches wide that aid in giving it a one-inch higher ground clearance. Combine that with steel skid plates over the gas tank, transmission and oil pan, plus an off-road tuned suspension, and you get true off-roading capability with the best of them. Pilot is also offered in LX, Sport, EX-L, Touring and top-tier Elite that carries an MSRP of $52,380. Pilot TrailSport is not only larger and bolder in design, but its interior is equally as bold with hefty and heavily padded, heated leather front seats, heated steering wheel, a vivid 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity, satellite radio, TrailWatch camera system with rearview, front and side view cameras along with overhead views. The display also serves a host of apps, satellite radio, mode selections and more. In place of a transmission shift handle for the 10-speed automatic trans, Honda engineers standardized their popular SUVs with a push button gear selector for P, R, N, D/S gearing. It takes a little getting used to if coming off a shift handle. But once acclimating to them, you’d wouldn’t want to go back to the handle. Paddle shifters supplement the push button selectors. Sharing the console with the electronic shifter is a rocker-style switch for Econ, Normal, Snow, Sport, Trail, Sand and Tow modes. Selections display on the touchscreen and on the digital tachometer within the gauge cluster. There’s also wireless phone charging on the console. Speaking of the gauge cluster, the speedometer is analog and between it and the tach is a Driver Information Display for alerts, features and functions. Pilot’s one of many alerts is the lane departure warning that vibrates the drivers’ seat along with a visual warning when crossing the center highway line. With a low 19-inch step-in, the rear captains’ seats are as comfy as the fronts and they too are heavily padded. They also power slide for/aft for spacious third row access that can seat three youngsters for seven passenger TrailSport seating. Back in the spacious cargo area and with the third row upright there’s 21.8 cu. ft. of space that measures 19 inches deep, 46 wide and 31.5 high. Flip the third row and capacity expands to 48.5 cubic feet for 50 inches of cargo loading depth. Need more space? Power down the second row and cargo capacity offers 113.7 cu. ft. for 81 inches of cargo loading depth. That’s over six feet that can accommodate a mountain bike with the front wheel off and stacked atop the bike. Beneath the cargo floor is a 7-inch deep, full-width bin for small item storage. And beneath it is a full-size spare, not a tire inflator kit as standard on some SUVs. The 2023 Pilot comes with a new engine of sorts that produces more power to the AWD system that’s standard in the TrailSport model. The 3.5-liter V6 now generates 285-hp and 262 lb/ft of torque for EPA mileage estimates of 18 city, 23-highway mpg when routed through the new 10-speed automatic transmission with engine auto off technology. So powered, Pilot carries a tow rating of up to 5,000 pounds which can handle a small boat, ATV or utility trailer. Half and full throttle acceleration is quick and exhilarating. As a larger and heavier SUV, Pilot offers a smooth and quiet ride. Highway tar strips are merely ripples. It remains planted in sharp, tight turns and its upgraded suspension smooths off-road nasties. And it parks easily with a tight 37.7 foot turning radius. In addition to a long list of safety features such as collision mitigation braking, lane keeping assist and road departure systems Pilot comes with some nifty niceties like Traffic Jam Assist that operates the accelerator, brakes and steering in an automated-type mode. Walk Away Close is also helpful in that the tailgate will automatically close behind you if your hands are full of packages as you walk away - provided the fob is on you. The Pilot TrailSport had no extra cost options because all the aforementioned and then some were standard. The only charge was for delivery that took the base price of $48,350 to $48,745. A reasonable price for a lot of SUV. Adding to its attractiveness, Pilot received IIHS’s 2023 Top Safety Pick-Plus for its Honda Sensing suite consisting of Crash Avoidance and Mitigation, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise. And NHTSA gave Pilot its 5-Star Overall Vehicle Safety Score. With all these accolades and capabilities, Pilot TrailSport is a compelling choice for the outdoors and off-road oriented family. It will also excel during deep snow that we may get this winter according to the Farmers Almanac. And less I forget, the Pilot TrailSport received several comments by folks on its attractive Diffused Sky Blue Pearl paint job when I was filling it at local gas stations. |
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